Health
• Regurgitation of stomach contents
• Frequent throat clearing , with persistent dry cough and hoarse voice
• Bad breath
• Damage to teeth , due to tooth erosion caused be excess acid
• Chest pain
• Persistent hiccups
• Excessive mucus / salivation
• Post-nasal drip – Drainage of mucus through the back of the nose / throat
• Choking , sometimes even awakening in a panic from sleep
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE
Symptoms associated with GERD and LPR in infants include
• Refusing to eat
• Irritable after feeding
• Choking
• Forceful regurgitation , especially after belching
• Spitting up ,
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Breathing difficulties
• Slow weight gain
Causes / Risk Factors Associated with Acid Reflux , GERD and LPR
Almost anyone can experience Heartburn or acid reflux after consuming a large meal or when lying down too quickly after eating . However , with GERD and LPR , the risk factors are more specific .
Dietary Factors :
When it comes to trigger foods and drinks , there is no one size fits all . Instead , try to keep a close eye on what you eat and drink , to figure out what you need to avoid . A list of common trigger foods and drinks which should be avoided or taken in reduced quantities include :
• Spiced foods such as onions , garlic and chilli , which can be swapped for other herbs and dry spices
• Chocolate , which can be swapped for boiled sweets , gums or mints
• Citrus fruits such as lemons , oranges and grapefruits which can be swapped with other fruits such as apples , pears , bananas , melons , apricots or nectarines .
• Some tea and coffee
• Carbonated drinks
• Fried and fatty foods
• Tomatoes and tomato-based products
• Peppermint
Lifestyle Factors include :
• Avoid eating close to bedtime . Allow for at least 3 hours , after a meal , before going to bed
• Avoid eating large meals or skipping meals . Instead , eat smaller and frequent meals , ensuring that , where applicable , the food is thoroughly chewed before swallowing it .
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• No smoking or use of other nicotinecontaining products
• Avoid wearing tight restrictive clothing or tight waistbands / belts
• Elevating the head of your bed , about 10cm -15cm
• For daytime naps , try sleeping in a chair , to maintain an upper elevated posture
• Wait for at least an hour after a meal , before exercising
• Medications that can contribute to acid reflux include :
• Anti-inflammatory medications like ; ibuprofen , aspirin and naproxen
• Antidepressants
• Sedatives
Genetic , Change in body shape and Injury Factors :
• Other risk factors include genetic and hereditary make-up , injuries and pregnancy
Possible Complications if left untreated
If left untreated , acid from the effects of GERD and LPR can cause damage to the lining of the oesophagus , throat and mouth , resulting in bleeding , ulcers and scarring . In some cases , this may lead to a condition known as Barrett ’ s oesophagus , which is considered a high-risk factor in developing oesophageal cancer .
Treatment
A primary care doctor can often diagnose the conditions and may initially suggest changes to diet and lifestyle . Medication can also be administered in the form of antacids , H2 blockers , proton pump inhibitors and prokinetics . However , it is wise to be informed on the type of medication , that one chooses to take , as some of it has been known to cause serious side effects . Testing may be required to ascertain whether the acid reflux has caused any scarring or damage to the oesophagus or throat . If your symptoms are hard to control , or there is reason to believe that there is damage to your throat or oesophagus , you may be referred to an otolaryngologist , commonly known as an ear , nose and throat ( ENT ) doctor for LPR , and a gastroenterologist for GERD . Surgery is normally administered as a last resort .
References :
https :// www . healthline . com https :// foodbodyfit . com https :// www . enthealth . org https :// www . medicalnewstoday . com https :// www . medicinenet . com https :// www . webmd . com https :// my . clevelandclinic . org
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